sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Drops Perfect Reply to Michael Jordan Comparison

Home> NBA

Updated 15:24 21 Oct 2025 GMT+1Published 15:22 21 Oct 2025 GMT+1

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Drops Perfect Reply to Michael Jordan Comparison

The Oklahoma City Thunder star made his feelings clear on being compared to MJ

James Taylor

James Taylor

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped the perfect reply when asked about comparisons to basketball icon Michael Jordan.

The NBA returns on Tuesday with last season's champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, taking on the Houston Rockets.

Once again, the Thunder enter the campaign as title favourites, although the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets cannot be ruled out.

A major reason for the lofty expectations on the Thunder is last year's MVP Gilgeous-Alexander, who has now been consistently excellent for several seasons.

Advert

The Canadian has been an All-Star for the past three seasons, and last year, he led the league with an impressive 32.7 points per game, securing both the NBA MVP and the Finals MVP.

It has prompted comparisons with one of the sport's greatest ever players, Jordan.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Image: William Purnell / Contributor via Getty
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Image: William Purnell / Contributor via Getty

The Chicago Bulls star won a three-peat between 1991 and 1993, then briefly retired, before he returned to claim another three-peat from 1996 to 1998.

Last year, Gilgeous-Alexander addressed the comparisons to Jordan.

He said: "It's an honour.

"To be in those conversations, if I'm even in them, is why you play the game and what you dream about as a kid. It's an honour.

"Obviously I have a long way to go before I get to even be in the same conversation as him but it's an honour."

Who is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

The 27-year-old Canadian was originally drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 2018, before he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

In July 2019, he joined Oklahoma City, where he has established himself as one of the league's best players.

Last year, Gilgeous-Alexander became just the fourth player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP and the scoring title in the same season.

In July, he signed a massive $285 million contract extension with the Thunder, keeping him on the roster until 2031.

It is reportedly the biggest single-season average salary in the league's history.

Tuesday night's game will be particularly special, as Gilgeous-Alexander receives his fist ring.

Ahead of the game, he said: “I can’t wait. Just to have the official piece of hardware I dreamed about for so many years in my childhood and growing up.

"Should be fun tomorrow."

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the MVP Trophy. Image: Matthew Stockman / Staff via Getty
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the MVP Trophy. Image: Matthew Stockman / Staff via Getty

Despite his ambitions on the court, he has been clear that family is his priority.

He told GQ's senior style editor, Yang-Yi Goh: "I won’t want to miss that much of my kid’s life.

"I won’t want to be away and miss his first basketball game every year, his first soccer game, football game, piano lesson, chess lesson, whatever it is.

"And there’s a certain point in your career where you reach your peak. I don’t fault guys for still playing.

"They love the game. But I just feel like I play this game, ultimately, to see what the best version of me can be."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: NBA, Michael Jordan, Basketball

James Taylor
James Taylor

James is a sports journalist who specialises in football and Formula 1. He has written for publications such as The Times, MailSport, Sunday Express, Sunday Star and Manchester Evening News. Throughout his career, he has interviewed international footballers and rising Olympic stars. In his spare time, he has the misfortune of being a season ticket holder at Manchester United.

X

@James_Taylor_02

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
5 days ago
26 days ago
a month ago
  • NBA
    a day ago

    NBA star struggles to get off floor after suffering terrifying head injury

    The incident occurred during the NBA play-off clash between the Spurs and Trail Blazers.

    NBA
  • Getty
    5 days ago

    LeBron James' ex-teammate backs Michael Jordan as NBA GOAT ahead of play-offs

    James will feature for the LA Lakers against the Houston Rockets this weekend.

    NBA
  • Getty
    26 days ago

    Shaquille O'Neal responds to claims he slid into Sabrina Carpenter's DMs

    O'Neal has strongly denied the claims.

    NBA
  • Getty
    a month ago

    Steph Curry left stunned as teammate stretchered off after horrible freak injury

    Golden State Warriors star Moses Moody had to be stretchered off during the win over the Dallas Mavericks after a freak injury.

    NBA
  • Michael Jordan Settled the NBA GOAT Debate With Perfect Answer
  • Kevin Durant Made Fortune After Recovering Old Bitcoin Wallet From 2016
  • Michael Jordan Thinks NBA Player He Hated Is Better Point Guard Than Steph Curry
  • NBA legend Michael Jordan was embarrassed in casino by another sporting legend